Ganga Saptami

Ganga Saptami is an auspicious day for Hindus that is celebrated in honour of Goddess Ganga. It is also popularly known as ‘Ganga Jayanti’ or ‘Ganga Pujan’ as according to the Hindu legends it is believed that Goddess Ganga took rebirth on this
day. Ganga Saptami is observed on the ‘saptami’ (7th day) of the Shukla Paksha (the waxing phase of moon) during the month of ‘Vaishakha’ or ‘Baisakh’. On Ganga Saptami in most of the Hindu pilgrimage places where River Ganga passes, like Triveni
Sangam in Allahabad and Rishikesh, special pujas and prayers are offered by devotees. It is celebrated with full enthusiasm and fervour in the northern states of India.

Ganga Saptami 2017 was on May 02 Tuesday

Rituals during Ganga Saptami:

On the day of Ganga Saptami, devotees get up before sunrise and take a dip in the holy Ganges. Worshipping Goddess Ganga is supposed to be very auspicious on this day. They float garland across River Ganga and perform the famous ‘Ganga Aarti’.
The preparation for ‘Ganga Aarti’ is made at several Ghats and thousands of devotees from different parts of the country participate in this event. On Ganga Saptami, the ceremony of ‘deepadan’ that is donating a ‘deep’ is very fortunate. Ganga is
considered to be a ‘devi’ or Goddess in Hindu religion; therefore devotees worship Her with complete dedication and devotion to be bestowed with happiness, fame and salvation. Huge fairs are also organized near the banks of River Ganga on the day of
Ganga Saptami. Reciting ‘Ganga Sahasranam Strotram’ and ‘Gayatri Mantra’ is considered to be very propitious on this day.

Significance of Ganga Saptami:

The legend and significance of Ganga Saptami is explained in the religious scriptures like ‘Padma Purana’, ‘Brahma Purana’ and ‘Narada Purana’ and to name a few. As per the Hindu mythological beliefs, Goddess Ganga first descended to Earth on the
day ‘Ganga Dussehra’. However once Sage Jahnu drank up Ganga’s water and only after being pleaded by Gods and King Bhagiratha, he released Ganga once again on the Vaishakha Shukla Paksha Saptami. From then onwards this day marks the rebirth of
Goddess Ganga and is also referred as ‘Jahnu Saptami’. Goddess Ganga is also named as ‘Jahnavi’ for being the daughter of Rishi Jahnu.

River Ganga is held very sacred in India. The celebrations of Ganga saptami is well-known in places where Ganga and its tributaries flow. The day of Ganga Saptami is promising for Hindu devotees who worship Goddess Ganga and also take a dip in
the holy water. It is believed that by taking a pious bath in Ganga River, all the sins of the person will be washed away. Many Hindus desire to be cremated close to River Ganga as it will lead them to the path of salvation. Furthermore according to
the astrological calculations, individuals who are under the influence of ‘Mangal’ should worship Goddess Ganga on Ganga Saptami.